Episode 127

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Published on:

17th Apr 2025

Women WithAI: Are you a Cyborg or a Centaur? Strategy, Creativity & Radical Clarity with Joy Dean

In this latest episode of Women WithAI, host Joanna Shilton welcomes back the always dynamic Joy Dean, EMEA VP of Publisher Partnerships at Optima, founder of The Digital Dean, and a creative entrepreneur who’s helping individuals and companies reimagine their approach to AI, strategy, and scale.

Joy brings radical clarity to a rapidly evolving space, cutting through the noise to offer practical insight into how AI can become a true partner in business, creative practice, and personal productivity. From her background in global ad tech to her wellness retreats and bespoke consultancy, Joy is the definition of a multidimensional leader for the AI age.

In this thoughtful and energising conversation, Joy explains the difference between being a cyborg (toggling between human and machine) and a centaur (seamlessly collaborating with AI), and why this distinction matters if you want to work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re running a solo business, managing a team, or just trying to stay afloat in the digital noise, this episode is packed with practical inspiration and tools to help you thrive.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Cyborg vs Centaur mindset: Why your approach to collaborating with AI matters and how to build trust with it as a creative partner.
  2. Using AI to scale solo ventures: How creative entrepreneurs can harness AI to replace repetitive tasks, sense-check decisions, and organise their workflows.
  3. AI literacy for all: Why it's not just about tools—it's about understanding how data, tone, prompts, and personal context shape AI responses.
  4. Custom GPTs and creative automation: How Joy builds personal GPTs and agents that work with her tone, goals, and workflows, plus the tools she recommends.
  5. Ethical engagement and data hygiene: Joy shares her golden rules for protecting privacy, respecting copyright, and using AI responsibly.
  6. Wellness, identity and AI integration: From yoga and retreat planning to ad tech strategy, Joy’s holistic use of AI brings creativity and clarity to every corner of her life.
  7. Start before you’re ready: You don’t need to be an expert to begin. Joy’s approach is hands-on, humble, and deeply human, perfect for anyone learning as they go.

Digital Contacts for Joy Dean (The Digital Dean):

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Thanks for listening

//Women WithAI Host// Joanna Shilton

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About the Podcast

WithAI FM™
Hear the Future
In a world where artificial intelligence is reshaping the frontiers of every industry, understanding AI is no longer optional; it’s imperative. “WithAI FM” presents a curated series of podcasts that serve as a compass through the dynamic realm of AI’s applications, from creative arts to architectural design.

Each show, such as 'Creatives with AI, 'Women with AI', or 'Marketing with AI', is a specialised conduit into the nuances of AI within different professional landscapes. These are not just discussions; they are narratives of the future, unfolding one episode at a time.

Each show thrives on the expertise of its host – a seasoned industry professional who brings their insights to the microphone to enlighten, challenge, and drive the AI-centric discourse. These voices are at the forefront, navigating through the complexities of AI, simplifying the jargon, and uncovering the potential within each vertical.

About your hosts

David Brown

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A technology entrepreneur with over 25 years' experience in corporate enterprise, working with public sector organisations and startups in the technology, digital media, data analytics, and adtech industries. I am deeply passionate about transforming innovative technology into commercial opportunities, ensuring my customers succeed using innovative, data-driven decision-making tools.

I'm a keen believer that the best way to become successful is to help others be successful. Success is not a zero-sum game; I believe what goes around comes around.

I enjoy seeing success — whether it’s yours or mine — so send me a message if there's anything I can do to help you.

Lena Robinson

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Lena Robinson, the visionary founder behind The FTSQ Gallery and F.T.S.Q Consulting, hosts the Creatives WithAI podcast.

With over 35 years of experience in the creative industry, Lena is a trailblazer who has always been at the forefront of blending art, technology, and purpose. As an artist and photographer, Lena's passion for pushing creative boundaries is evident in everything she does.

Lena established The FTSQ Gallery as a space where fine art meets innovation, including championing artists who dare to explore the intersection of creativity and AI. Lena's belief in the transformative power of art and technology is not just intriguing, but also a driving force behind her work. She revitalises brands, clarifies business visions, and fosters community building with a strong emphasis on ethical practices and non-conformist thinking.

Join Lena on Creatives WithAI as she dives into thought-provoking conversations that explore the cutting edge of creativity, technology, and bold ideas shaping the future.

Joanna (Jo) Shilton

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As the host of 'Women With AI', Jo provides a platform for women to share their stories, insights, and expertise while also engaging listeners in conversations about the impact of AI on gender equality and representation.

With a genuine curiosity for the possibilities of AI, Jo invites listeners to join her on a journey of exploration and discovery as, together, they navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence and celebrate the contributions of women in shaping its future.

Iyabo Oba

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Iyabo is the host of Relationships WithAI, a podcast that explores how artificial intelligence is transforming human connections, from work and romance to family and society.

With over 15 years of experience in business development across the non-profit, corporate, and public sectors, Iyabo has led strategic partnerships, content creation, and digital campaigns that drive real impact. Passionate about fostering authentic relationships, she has worked closely with diverse communities to create meaningful engagement and conversation.

Fascinated by the intersection of technology and human interaction, Iyabo is on a mission to uncover how AI is shaping the way we connect. Through Relationships WithAI, she creates a space for thought leaders and disruptors to share their insights, experiences, and predictions about the future of AI and its impact on relationships, society, and beyond.

If you’re curious about AI’s role in our lives, this podcast is for you. Join Iyabo as she sits down with some of the brightest minds in the field to explore the evolving relationship between AI and humanity.